We have a large, 10-game NHL DFS slate on Thursday that features a two-game turbo and a two-game late option. As always, we're here to help daily fantasy hockey players with potential value picks and strategy advice for DraftKings and FanDuel contests. Our tips are based on advanced stats, Vegas odds, matchups, and potential points per dollar, among other factors.

The “Mini Light The Lamp” may fill easily based on increased demand. That has an $8 entry with $30,000 prize pool. Note there is also several “Light The Lamp” tournaments with some intriguing payouts. With scoring down, Vegas has a couple over/unders at six. On a semi-related note, with teams coming off bye weeks tonight, do watch out for rust. Usually, there will be more mistakes than usual which offers the chance for a greater amount of goals scored.

Because of the volatile nature of goalies (and other reasons), there will be more information on social media coming closer to roster lock. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you are looking for even more advice and insight, please check me out on Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS. Let’s get into tonight’s value picks after a visit from the RotoQL optimizer.

Thursday NHL DFS Picks: Center values

Kerfoot is a risky choice given his dud potential. However, San Jose has a tendency to give up goals in back-breaking fashion. Kerfoot will also draw depth matchups and has points in his last three contests. He has moderate shot potential against a San Jose team in a five game in seven nights stretch.

With the 10-game slate, there is still room to set up a few different lineups that are outside the limits of being safe. This can even be a nice one-off if needed. Expect Colorado, Philadelphia's top line, and Tampa ownership to be high as DFS players will keep trying to go for it. Watch Arizona and Nashville for pace, as it could be elevated. Tampa Bay and Vegas has a potential to dud (even with high shot possibilities), and watch Columbus and Dallas, as they could surprise.

The good news is there are several other options as far as value on Thursday night. Even Kyle Turris and Matthew Barzal will be nice plays on the night based on matchup analysis. Remember, chalk can be used -- just know what to expect. Pittsburgh becomes an intriguing play even with their top line. Los Angeles has been slipping on the penalty kill over the past six weeks or so, yielding a ton of high-danger scoring chances. How long can Jonathan Quick sustain a .920-plus save percentage on the penalty kill?

Thursday Daily Fantasy Hockey Picks: Winger values

Smith is on a bit of a roll, as he has exceeded value in four of his past six games. Arizona’s defense can be considered very leaky, as it will allow over 33 shots a game. With the injuries in Nashville, Smith’s ice time and power play usage has climbed upward. The Predators may not be as dangerous as they normally are. However, Smith can generate shots like a fiend (top 10 in shots per 60 over the last month). Nashville’s defense drives their special teams, and Smith works well near the front of the net. Expect some chances there.

Tampa, Nashville, and even Toronto will be leaned on because of their strong power play. The late games are a bit of a nightmare to gauge because of all the line switching and some injuries. It is highly recommended to check back often to see what happens next.

Alex Tuch, Kevin Labanc, and Marian Gaborik are all nice low-price options on DraftKings tonight. With this slate, even these riskier plays are viable. On a few lineups, these forwards may be worth a shot. Watch the second and even third lines of some teams. The expectation is to see elevated bottom-six scoring on this night.

Thursday NHL DFS Advice: Defensemen picks, values

Muzzin shoots at moderate levels typically and has block potential of two or three shots a game. On occasion, he will block more shots than usual. That sounds a bit risky, but Pittsburgh has been allowing more scoring chances and the second highest daily fantasy points to defensemen in the league.

Muzzin is expected to return tonight (was held out earlier in the week so he could rest a little longer). This sets the Kings defensive core back to a more stable state. Also, the defenseman will be eased in, which means he should see more power play time and against Pittsburgh. That can be a good thing against an unrested team.

Nick Leddy could be a good choice because both New York and Buffalo are not adept on defense or the penalty kill. Their goaltending can give up goals in small bunches. Expected goals for is up tonight for some defensemen, and value is higher than usual (as seen below with our recommendations). Patrik Nemeth is an intriguing under-the-radar play on a night like this with so much chalk. New Jersey just gives up too many chances and is still around a penalty above the league average, so naturally John Carlson must be considered.

With the injury to Victor Hedman, watch to see who is on Tampa’s power play first unit. If it is Sergachev, he will be sought after highly because his prices are still reasonable. If it is Anton Stralman, then Stralman becomes an attractive play.

Thursday Daily Fantasy Hockey Advice: Goalie picks, values

Fleury has had six quality starts in his past seven games. He is projected to get the start against a Tampa team that can pile up shots (nearly 35 shots a night at home). However, if Fleury can keep it together, that makes him, by definition, a risky but good GPP play. Tampa is coming off their bye week, so they may be a bit sluggish, and yes, they are missing Victor Hedman.

Fleury is a cheap tournament option on DraftKings and risky also on FanDuel. That leaves the dilemma of who else to play. Confirmations are just coming out, so the best course of action may be to wait a bit. There are lower team totals tonight. For as many bullish predictions from Vegas, there are some bears as well. Beware of Dallas-Columbus and NY Rangers-Buffalo due to pace concerns.

The emphasis will be to wait until closer to lock (7 p.m. ET) for any line shifts and goalie changes, etc. Also, watch for injuries and returns tonight as some projections may be impacted. Finally, for GPPs, one is looking for quality starts potential, 30-plus shots faced or very close, and high save potential.

NHL DFS Picks for Thursday: Top Lines to Stack

· COL 1 – It's a bit expensive but still kind of reasonable. San Jose plays a lot of hockey this week, and this line is the best in the league at home for a reason.

· WSH 1 – The Devils were torched by the top line and John Carlson in their last meeting in New Jersey. If WSH 1 matches up against NJ2, that will be a mismatch.

· NYR PP 1 – Some will enjoy this, as Rangers ownership should be low tonight. It could be a good night to get their special teams on track and try a risky correlation to boot. It's only good if one intends on putting several entries in GPPs.

· TB 2 should do well against Vegas. First line will be higher owned but that second should draw the Neal line, which is just not that strong.

· The entire first line of Nashville is out at press time. NSH PP 1 could be interesting (plus a defenseman) on this night.

· NJ 1 as Washington does allow elevated high-danger chances per 60. Watch the third line, especially in larger GPPs where one can multi entry with ease.

· PHI 1 – This should rise up the charts throughout the day. Optimizer has been bullish with the way these teams trade chances.

· TOR PP 1 – It is crazy but may just work here given Auston Matthews has been scoring better since his return and the Flyers PK is around 70 percent over the past dozen contests.

· LAK 1 – Very risky but has potential given chances allowed from Pittsburgh. If Jarry gives one up early, this line could pounce. See Anaheim last night.

· CLB 1 – Always have to have room here, but they will likely draw the Dallas top line, which suppresses opportunities as well. May be a wash for both honestly.

· NYI 1 – Pivot to NYI 2 if Josh Bailey does not play. Bailey is making progress and could give it a go. Boston is unrested but tends to play well on the back end of a back to backs. This makes the play volatile.

· BOS 3 – This has been one of the best lines no one has heard about. Some call it the second line but Heinen, Nash, and Backes have been impressive. The Islanders give up three-plus goals like it is candy.

These are just a few lines. As updates become more available, there will be more on social media. Watch to see who plays. That will swing ownership a little bit. This is one of those nights where even one or two scoops can mean a huge difference. Our spotlight picks feature more value which can mean more inherent risk.

NHL DFS Strategy: Reviewing what went wrong

This is always going to be a section full of “hindsight is 20/20”. However, Wednesday was a two-game slate, and that simply was the problem. If one did not have Tuukka Rask and the Boston top line, one was sunk like a battleship.